Building a mini PC typically costs between ¥1,500 and ¥8,000, depending on component choices. Entry-level configurations with basic processors (e.g., Intel Celeron) and 8GB DDR4 RAM start around ¥1,500–¥2,500. Mid-range builds (Core i5/Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) range from ¥3,000–¥5,000. High-end systems (Core i9/Ryzen 9, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, discrete GPUs) exceed ¥6,000. Costs vary by brand preference, cooling solutions, and specialized requirements like gaming or compact form factors.
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Table of Contents
Top 5 Mini PCs in 2025
| Rank | Model | Processor | RAM | Storage | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GEEKOM Mini IT12 (Best Performance) | Intel i5-12450H (8C/12T) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD | $379.00 | Check Price |
| 2 | GMKtec N150 (1TB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD | $191.99 | Check Price |
| 3 | KAMRUI GK3Plus (Budget Pick) | Intel N95 (3.4GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB M.2 SSD | $169.99 | Check Price |
| 4 | ACEMAGICIAN N150 (Cheapest 16GB) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | $139.99 | Check Price |
| 5 | GMKtec N150 (512GB SSD) | Intel N150 (3.6GHz) | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB PCIe SSD | $168.99 | Check Price |
What hardware components affect mini PC costs most?
Processor and storage drive 60–70% of total costs. Entry-level CPUs (e.g., Intel N100) cost ¥400–¥800, while high-end mobile CPUs (Ryzen 9 7940HS) exceed ¥3,000. NVMe SSDs (512GB–1TB) add ¥300–¥1,200 vs. ¥150–¥500 for SATA models.
Component selection directly impacts performance tiers. For example, a ¥2,000 build might use an Intel N95 CPU (4-core, 6W TDP) paired with 8GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB eMMC storage—sufficient for basic office tasks. Mid-range systems often feature Ryzen 5 6600H processors (6 Zen 3+ cores) with PCIe 4.0 SSDs, enabling 1080p gaming at 60+ FPS. Pro Tip: Allocate 25–30% of your budget to the processor for balanced performance. Thermal solutions also matter—passively cooled mini PCs cost 15–20% more but enable silent operation.
How does RAM configuration impact pricing?
DDR4 vs. DDR5 and soldered vs. upgradable RAM create ¥300–¥1,500 differences. Soldered 16GB LPDDR5 adds ¥400–¥600 to base costs, while user-upgradable SO-DIMM slots allow cheaper future expansion.
Most mini PCs use either LPDDR4X (soldered) or DDR4 SO-DIMM slots. A system with 8GB soldered RAM might cost ¥1,800, while the same model with 16GB could be ¥2,300. For power users, 32GB DDR5-5600 configurations add ¥800–¥1,200 over base models. Consider a Beelink SER6 Pro: its 32GB DDR5/512GB SSD version costs ¥3,999 vs. ¥3,299 for 16GB/500GB. Warning: Some ultra-compact designs permanently solder RAM, making post-purchase upgrades impossible—always verify specifications.
| RAM Type | 8GB Cost | 16GB Cost |
|---|---|---|
| DDR4 SO-DIMM | ¥150 | ¥280 |
| LPDDR5 Soldered | ¥220 | ¥420 |
Are prebuilt mini PCs cheaper than custom builds?
Prebuilt systems often save 10–25% through bulk component pricing. Brands like MinisForum offer Ryzen 7 7735HS mini PCs at ¥3,299 with Windows 11 Pro—a comparable DIY build would cost ¥3,700+.
Mass-produced models benefit from economies of scale in chassis manufacturing and OS licensing. For instance, a barebone NUC-style kit (¥1,800) requires adding ¥600 for RAM/SSD and ¥800 for a Windows license, totaling ¥3,200—nearly matching prebuilt pricing. However, custom builds allow specific component combinations, like pairing an i7-1260P with dual 2.5GbE ports for networking projects. Pro Tip: Compare barebone system costs (case+motherboard+PSU) against complete prebuilt units—sometimes the difference is under ¥500.
How do form factors influence pricing?
Ultra-compact designs (0.5–1L) cost 18–30% more than standard mini PCs (1–2L) due to specialized cooling and custom PCBs. A 0.6L Asus PN64 costs ¥4,200 vs. ¥3,500 for a similarly specced 1.3L model.
Smaller enclosures require expensive vapor chamber cooling and rigid-flex PCBs. The 0.5L GMKtec NucBox K1 (¥2,999) uses a copper heatsink and fanless design that adds ¥400 over conventional cooling. Conversely, larger mini ITX builds (5–10L) allow standard components, reducing costs—a 5L Silverstone case costs ¥300 vs. ¥600 for a 1L custom enclosure. Table below shows size vs. cost premiums:
| Form Factor | Size | Cost Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-compact | <1L | 20–35% |
| Standard | 1–2L | 0–15% |
| Mini ITX | 5–10L | –10–20% |
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FAQs
Do mini PCs include Windows licenses?
Prebuilt models usually include Windows (¥800–¥1,200 value), while barebone kits require separate purchase. Linux-based systems save ¥800+.
Can I upgrade mini PC GPUs later?
Most lack PCIe slots for discrete GPUs. Thunderbolt 4 eGPUs add ¥2,000–¥5,000 for enclosure+GPU costs.
Are used mini PCs cost-effective?
Refurbished corporate models (Dell OptiPlex Micro) offer 30–50% savings—¥1,200–¥2,000 for 8th-gen i5 systems with warranties.